Lockdown in 11 SEQ Local Government Areas (LGAs)

As we have learnt this morning, the lockdown will end in the 11 LGAs at 4pm but some restrictions will stay in place as Queensland “is not out of the woods”.

Masks will be required in all workplaces, except where wearing a face mask would create any other serious risk to that person’s life or health and safety, including if determined through work Occupational Health and Safety guidelines eg: where a mask could become tangled in machinery.

Lockdown in Cairns and Yarrabah

From 4pm today Cairns Regional Council local government area and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council will enter lockdown until 4pm on Wednesday August 11. Schools be closed except for children of essential workers.

For member businesses in Cairns and Yarrabah, we recommend the same advice as recently implemented in the South-East. Queensland Health has advised that the purpose of the lockdown and tightened definition of essential work is to ensure COVID-19 is not spread between workplaces or within communities. Vehicle repair, service and maintenance may be considered necessary to maintain essential services or supplies to the community during the lockdown and therefore can operate. New and used car, motorcycle, and farm machinery dealer showrooms are advised that the Chief Health Officer’s advice is that they should close. Vehicle pick-up should be on a case-by-case basis and only when critical.

A business support package is being considered for Cairns and we will notify members about this when we have more  information.

Masks must be worn at all times outside the home (including public transport) unless alone or with members of your household; eating or drinking; doing strenuous exercise or it is unsafe (eg: wearing a face mask would create any other serious risk to that person’s life or health and safety, including if determined through work Occupational Health and Safety guidelines such as where a mask could become tangled in machinery.)

MTA Institute trainers will suspend all training in Cairns for the lockdown.